Amusement device



April 1945" c. WILSON 2,373,367

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (HARLES 5- WILSONpril 10, 1945.

C- E. WILSON AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 17, 1944 2 heets-Sheet 2Patented Apr. 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,373,367 i TAMUSEMENT DEVICE Charles E. Wilson, Bluefield, W. Va.

Application February 1'7, 1944, Serial No. 522,769

Claims.

This invention relates to amusement devices and has relation moreparticularly to a device of this kind of a grotesque type and whichembodies a movable figure.

Primarily it is an object of the invention to provide a device of thiskind including a figure comprising a plurality of relatively movableparts so assembled as to effect a changed relation of such parts upondropping of the figure in suspension.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kindincluding a figure adapted to be releasably supported at a desiredheight and wherein said figure has associated therewith a suspendingelement which does not become effective until the release of the figureand wherein said figure comprises an assembly resulting in a simulationof a stretching of the figure when dropped and at the same timeeffecting an outward projection of an element normally concealed withinthe figure.

The invention also has for an object to provide a device of this kindwhich in its operation and use affords a burlesque of an executionbyhang- The invention consists in the details of con: struction and inthe combination and arrangements of the several parts of my improvedamusement device whereby certain important advantages are attained, aswill be hereinafter-more fully set forth. 1

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceedto describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure l is a. view i front elevation of an amusement device constructedin accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 ofFigure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1; 1

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially onthe line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing certai of the partsin a second position;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing the figureas herein comprised as stretched, with a normally concealed element inprojection;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 ofFigure 1;

Figure 8'is a view somewhat similar to Figure '7 but showing certain ofthe parts in a second position;

Figure 9,is a View in blank of a part placed forward margin is providedwith a pair of upstanding posts or columns l of a length to extend to apoint closely adjacent to the upper margin of the back plate P. Theupper ends ofthese posts or colmnns l have interposed therebetween across front member 2 suitably anchored in position. Interposed betweenthe central portion of the member 2 and the back plate P is a beam ormember 3 having suitably secured to the central portion thereof anextremity of an elongated flexible member M for a purpose to behereinafter more particularly referred to.

Hingedly connected, as at 4, for up and. down swinging movement at adesired point above the base plate B is the rear marginal portion of aplatform 5. This platform 5 substantially bridges the space between theposts or columns I and also substantially bridges the space between theback plate P and the plane of the posts or columns I when the platform 5is in its raised position.

The forward longitudinal edge of the platform 5 midway its ends isprovided with an outstanding pi 6 which, when the platform 5 is raisedto a position substantially parallel with the base plate B, is receivedwithin a notch or recess 1 provided in the outer or free end portion ofa rigid lever. 8. This lever 8 has its lower end portion pivotallyconnected, as at 9, to an up standing block I!) carried by the baseplate 13 and such lever 8 is of a length to releasably hold the platform5 in desired raised position, as particularly illustrated in Figure 3 ofthe drawings. The lever 8 is positioned directly above the opening orpocket ll provided in the base plate B and into which extends a pin [2carried by and depending from the lower pivoted end of the lever B. Thispin I2 is adapted to be received within a notch or recess I4 provided inthemserted end portion of an elongated plunger I5 which is slidably androtatably engaged within an opening [6. I

This opening it is in the end portion of the base plate B and extendsfrom the opening or pocket H to the outer end of the base plate B so athat the outer extremity of the plunger l may be normally extendedbeyond the base plate B to facilitate the operation of the pin when itis desired to effect the necessary rocking movement of the lever 8 torelease the platform 5.

the opening or pocket H to hold the lever 8- against return swingingmovement.

A suitable figure F is adapted to be freely placed upon the platform 5when raised and, as

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this figure F is in grotesquesimulation of a human figure including a body l1 and a head w. The

head [8 is provided with a depending elongated neck I9 herein disclosedas cylindrical in form and which tubular neck extends upwardly frombelow within the head and into a suitable chamber 2min thehead, i

The lower or extended portion of theneck I 9 extends-within an elongatedsocket 2 l in the upper portion ofthe body H of thefigure F whereby theneck I 9 is permitted to have longitudinal movement independently of thebody W in order to provide the effect of stretching the head 18 from thebody I! when the figure F is dropped upon releaseof the platform 5; aswill be hereinafter more particularlyset forth.

' The outer portion of the socket 2+ is defined by an inwardly disposedflange 22which has close contact with the periphery of the neck 1'8 andthe extremity of the neck l9 within the socket 2i carries an outwardlysurrounding flange 23. This flange 23 contacts with the flange 22 tolimit the extent; of relative longitudinal movement between the neck l9and the body IT.

The lower portion of the front face of'the head it is providedthereacross with a transverse slot 24. having communication at all.points therealong with the lower part of the chamber within, the head,I58 and throughwhich is adapted to be, freely extended or retracted atongue 25. The upperv or inner end portion of this tongue member 25c,arri.es,an, inwardly; and laterally dis posed elongatedbar25,-whichextends within the upper end portion; of: the; neck ill or thatpart within the; chamber 20 the; wallof, the: neck, 19 being slotted, asat; 2% to; allow. the; entrance of thebar 2 Q intoi the-neck! 9,,

Thetongue 251 and bar- 2.6: are formed, of: metal or other materialhaving required rigidity and theextremity ofithe: bar ld-iwitltiin theneck i9 is pivotally connected to the neck l9; as at 28, whereby the-bar25 isfreeto have up and; down swinging movement, whereby the tongue'25is either retracted within the chamber 20 or extendedtherefromt l Thetongue 25 isnormally maintainedin its retracted position by aretractilemember 29,

herein disclosed as an elastic band, having one and secured, as at 3thto the bar 2B- and' its opposite end portion secured; as at 3|, totheneck [9* elastic member 36'. They upper or outer end poras at 3'], tothe bar 26 at a point in relatively close proximity to its pivotalmounting 28.

The tension of the elastic member 29 is greater than the tension of theelastic member 36. The elastic member 36 is provided to allow for thecontinued outward movement of the neck l9 after the tongue 25 has beenprojected to its fullest extent and, of course, as the neck 19 returns,the

tension of the elastic member 29 will effect a retraction of the tongue25.,

The flexible member M has its. lower extremity engaged preferably by aslip noose 38 and this member M is of such length that as the figure Fis permitted to drop, the body portion I! will conti-nue' to fall afterthe further downward movement of the head l8 has been limited by themember M. This action will result in the simulationof the neck of thefigure F being extended and as a. result of such relative outwardlongitudinal movement between the neck l9 and the body ll, the; bar 26will be pulled or swung toward the. body I115, resultingin an extensionof the tongue 25. l

The figure F, or more particularly the head l8 thereof, ispreferablymade of molded paper stock or the like. and: for: which reasonit is of advantage to provide: means; to prevent, any loosened matterfalling; int the neck t9. In the present embodiment of the invention,this isprevented; by securing to the top wall of the chamber 20" anelongated strip 39 preferably of paper and which is adhesively held in.place. This strip 39; at. its forward end is provided with theoppositely disposedlaterali extensions,v All which partially overlie theupper portion. of the slot 244 and such overlying portions of theextensions 40 and the adjacent intermediate portioniof' the strip 39-are herein disclosed as having produced thereon grotesque.representations of teeth.

The, lever 8: at: a desired point. intermediate its ends has rigidlysecured thereto a laterally disposed elongated bar 41 having its outerend portion operatively: engaged with an articulated arm 42 carried byan upstanding-figure 43 mounted upon the base plate B. This figure 43 isin simulation ofa person and when the l'ever-8-' is swun to release theplatform 5, the articulated arm 42' will also'be caused to move, thuscreating an effectof the platform 5--being released by' the figure 4 3.

From the foregoing description it is thought. to

beobvious that an amusement device constructed in accordance with myinvention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of theconvenience and. facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

What is claimedli's;

1. An amusement devicevof; the classdescribed comprising a platformmeans for hinging: the platform at a predetermined elevation, releasablemeans for holding the' platform raised, a figure to freely rest on, theplatform, and means for suspending the figure when the platform isreleased and. drops,, said figure comprising parts assembled; forrelative movement lengthwise of the figure, such movement being effectedwhen the platform drops and the figure isfplaced in suspension' 7 2'. Anamusement device as set forth in claim 1, with a movable element carriedby one of the parts of the figure and adapted for retraction andextension with respect to they said one, part of the figure, means formaintaining such element retracted when the figure is supported on thesuspending means for the figure, a releasable support for the figure forholding the figure independently of the suspending means, said figuredropping upon release of the support, said figure including a bodyhaving a socket in its upper portion, a head, a neck carried by the headand extending within the socket of the body, the suspending means beingoperatively engaged with the head, said neck being of substantial lengthand slidably engaged in the socket to allow relative movement betweenthe body and head, and means limiting outward movement of the neck inthe socket and the relative movement of the head and body.

4. In an amusement device including a figure, suspending means for thefigure, a releasable support for the figure for holding the figureindependently of the suspending means, said figure dropping upon releaseof the support, said figure including a body having a socket in itsupper portion, a head, a neck carried by the head and extending withinthe socket of the body, the suspending means being operatively engagedwith the head, said neck being of substantial length and slidablyengaged in the socket to allow relative movement between the body andhead, and means limiting outward movement of the neck -in the socket andthe relative movement of the head and body, said head having a chamberand a slot in the face thereof in communication with the chamber, atongue mounted for movement inwardly or outwardly of the chamber andthrough the slot, means for normally maintaining the tongue retractedwithin the chamber, and means for extending the tongue upon the statedrelative movement between the head and body of the figure.

5. An amusement device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means forextending the tongue comprises an expansible member operativelyconnected with the tongue and with the body of the figure.

CHARLES E. WILSON.

